[Note] – Detailed specifications: please see the official sources – All specifications are subject to change without notice – All trademarks belong to their respective holders.- This page is just a non-official overview, where no one should draw any conclusions – All images and versions above is for illustration only. (tnx)

Dynamic range (blocking, IMD and Reciprocal Mixing, related to Local Oscillator noise*) is a major limitation of receiver performance. It’s significant for amateurs who operate in contests, DX pileups, or others environments in which there are many strong nearby signal. – The Reciprocal Mixing Dynamic Range* (RMDR) is noise generated in a superheterodyne receiver when noise from the local oscillator (LO) mixes with strong, adjacent signals.

[Note] There are four different Software installations (Yaesu still uses the multiple software systems installations! on the FTdx-3000, Icom and Kenwood instead use a unified software environment) – Each one must be followed carefully. – Installing the wrong type software may cause difficulties. !! You are only doing the Main-CPU and TFT updates.
[Note] The rig has to be started in different ways for each of these two updates to work! The Yaesu “Firmware Upgrade Manual” has the update procedure for all of the Firmware-Modules & extention type (MAIN .SFL – DSP .dat – TFT .bin – FFT .dat), and for all Trasfer-Softwares (!! FSW018 – FW-DSP – TFW – FW-FFT !!) – See this Yaesu complex procedure step-by-step! – [… already running out of fingers when try to reset, etc. etc. !]

[Note] All specifications are subject to change without notice – All trademarks belong to their respective holders. – This page is just a non-official overview, where no one should draw any conclusions – all images and versions above is for illustration only (…tnx by IØgej)!

The Kenwood TS-990S has been updated to Version 1.05 of 11/15/2013, owners can update the transceiver’s firmware by using a USB flash drive as detailed on the Kenwood Firmware update information web-page – Last updated: November 15, 2013 (see the link below)
I think we should do the firmware because it will upgrade your RTX a lot more than all the specific items mentioned on the Kenwood web-site.

If you agree with the details listed on the Kenwood informations web-page (see “Firmware updating procedure”), click the following link to download the original firmware file: TS-990 V105.zip / 12.8MB – [Note]: The latest version includes all previous updates.

[Note] The firmware update is applicable to the following units. Model: TS-990S Serial numbers: From S/NO. B32xxxxx through S/NO. B3Bxxxxx approx. – You can check the firmware version of your TS-990S by pressing [M.IN] (!…Memory) + Power ON. – After startup, the Firmware Update screen appears and shows the firmware version.

JVCKenwood news – Now we have a In-Depth Manual for the TS-990 ready, but at the moment only in Japanese language (PDF 18.3MB) !!

TS-990S Kenwood Base Station Being Built (22/ott/2013) – Giving you a rare glimpse behind the scenes at Kenwood’s Communications Division factory at Yamagata, in northern Japan, this video shows our new flagship Amateur Radio transceiver the TS-990S being built.

[Note] All specifications are subject to change without notice – All trademarks belong to their respective holders. – This page is just a non-official overview, where no one should draw any conclusions – all images and versions above is for illustration only (tnx)!

ICOM IC-7100 Advanced Instructions Manual a new pdf of 379 page ( Icom America July 2013). These Advanced Instructions describe the details of the IC-7100 features.
This PDF formatted manual provides you with convenient functions, as follows. …. Shows a term description When the mouse cursor is moved over a term which is highlighted in yellow, the description of the term is displayed.
The screen shots at the right column,correspond to the perating instructions and procedures shows both setting and operating example. The location of the keys used in the described steps in the left column are illustrated.. etc.

IC-7100 the size is just about the same with IC-7000 Series and IC-706 & IC-706MKII, but it has a slanted header and can not be mounted on the main body. Touch Screen and user friendly mode and many menu could be easily controlled via Microphone, including changing mode and band selection.

At Dayton Hamvention 2013, ICOM the booth rep says there are now 27,000 D-STAR users with over 1,000 repeaters — and they’re dropping the price on those repeaters.

Icom Inc. has updates RS-BA1 Ver. 1.40 & RC-28 USB encoder Ver. 1.01

Major improvements of the function RS-BA1 V.1.40 (!! must be insert code from CD)
1. IC-7100 is now supported.
2. Improved for stable operation with RC-28 after PC comes out of the sleep mode.

Major improvements of the function RC-28 V.1.01
1. Improved for stable operation after PC comes out of the sleep mode.

IC-7100 at Dayton 2013 – Icom Inc. have released a new Brochure Pdf (EN), and the MSRP Price in Japan. The Importer Marcucci Spa released the List price in Italia. See more news, links, video and pictures below.

D-STAR is NOT proprietary to ICOM, D-STAR is an AMBE Codec owned by Digital Voice Systems. Icom is the only manufacturer putting D-STAR in their currently available Icom rigs. – (!! Click to all pictures to enlarge)

The optional RS-BA1 software allows you to operate the IC-7100 from a remote PC over the Internet or local home network. – (IP Remote through Home LAN) – (IP Remote over Internet) – also available the RC-28 Remote encoder.

The FTDX-3000 new Firmware Main CPU Ver. 0112 and TFT Ver. 0106 has just been posted 03/29/2013 by YAESU USA on his web-site. – Please read the latest version of the Yaesu FTDX3000 Firmware Upgrade Manual before proceeding! Checking current version on your Transceiver before download new upgrade!

[Note] There are four different Software installations (Yaesu still uses the multiple software systems installations! Icom and Kenwood instead use a unified software environment) – Each one must be followed carefully. Installing the wrong type software may cause difficulties.

[Note] The rig has to be started in different ways for each of these two updates to work! The Yaesu “Firmware Upgrade Manual” has the update procedure for all of the Firmware-Modules & extention type (MAIN .SFL – DSP .dat – TFT .bin – FFT .dat), and for all Trasfer-Softwares (!! FSW018 – FW-DSP – TFW – FW-FFT !!) – See this Yaesu complex procedure step-by-step!

[Note] This overview is provided for your convenience by Hans PA1HR; it is a summary of measurement figures and gives no indication of the ergonomics,the features and/or the operational characteristics of the transceivers/receivers.

The authors write: To say that the KX3 is a Direct Conversion Radio misses the point. It would probably be more descriptive to say that the KX3 is a Software Defined Radio (SDR) with a Ø Hz IF and I/Q quadrature component receiver processing that provides single-signal reception. Those signals allow a PC running your SDR software to display the spectrum and usual rig control management. – Elecraft provides your choice of a cable that connects to a PC USB2 port or an RS-232 socket (add. $29.95 or so!) -

[Note]All marks are property of their respective owners. – Specifications are subject to change without notice! – This page is just a non-official overview, where no one should draw any conclusions. – Non si assume alcuna responsabilità per eventuali inesattezze nella visualizzazione dei dati e notizie. (Tnx)

1) – Press and hold [F4] and [F5] while turning [ON] the IC-9100 – (idem for the IC-7410)2) – Do NOT release [F4] and [F5] until you have READ the Version results (3)3) – Results will appear at the bottom of the display

The IC-9100 Firmware V.E1 has just been posted 13/3/2012. – This upgrade is applied from a PC via the rear-panel [USB B] port. – The IC-9100’s firmware can be updated if desired. By updating the firmware, new function(s) can be added and performance can be improved. – This capability ends months of speculation: “Is it or isn’t it?” – – See the Utility Link, the QST Review, the latest NPR rx Testing (3/2013) by VA7OJ and RS-BA1 remote control … below !

QST pag. 55 [Large Box] RMRD, written by Bob Allison, WB1GCM
– From this review forward, we will include RMDR in the Key Measurements Summary.Reciprocal Mixing Testing: What Is It?
You may notice two new color bars in the “Key Measurements Summary” at the top of this review. These are for Reciprocal Mixing Dynamic Range (RMDR), with measurements at 20 and 2 kHz spacing. …….omissis …….. Reciprocal mixing is noise generated in a superheterodyne receiver when noise from the local oscillator (LO) mixes with strong, adjacent signals.

RS-BA1® Remote control system (QST… Now for the Really Cool Stuff )

An RS-BA1® remote control system consists of at least one PC, which is used as a Base station (Server) and at least one PC, which is used as a Remote station (Client). Both PCs have to be connected with a network and VAC. The Icom USB driver must be installed.
Link to: Watch the Video RS-BA1 setting (IC-7410) by GoospeedGoo

On the FTdx-5000’s three EL “OLED” Electro Luminescence displays maximize your operation with useful and tactical supportive information. –
[Issue]:) OLED subdisplay broken (see the picture) one vertical white line or plus lines appear in them! – More people had the same issue (see the FTdx-5000’s Yahoo Group). – It seems that it’s an mortality of the OLED driver chip that is integrated into the ribbon connector of the display or so.

Step-by-step procedure to replace the faulty OLEDs – (! other by link below)

……………………………………………………………………………………………………. On the first OLED one line starts faint and then become brighter and brighter. In the mean time second one showed up with it’s full brightness and thikness.
On the second OLED first line starts with almost full brightness then after about two weeks second one appeared dummy and thick, increasing brightness, day by day then starts slowly dimming or so – [Note] !!These events are reported for information only!

You need a serial cable from your computer to the serial port on the FTdx-5000’s. – If you use a USB port to serial interface adapter, make sure it is the FTDI chipset or so. – Update Software in the FTdx-5000 it takes a little practice for the many “DIY” steps procedures. – By the way, each update has all the previous updates, so you only have to do the latest one. – The tricky part is throwing the programming switch inside the back of the Transceiver!

!! Please see the versions list on the PDF Yaesu and be sure to read the entire package before doing anything.

FTDX5000’s QST Review – Both receivers cover from 0.03 to 60 MHz. Receiver A is double conversion, with the first IF at 9 MHz and the second DSP IF at 30 kHz for SSB and CW and 24 kHz for AM and FM modes. Receiver B is a tripleconversion design, with the first and second IFs at 40.455 MHz and 455 kHz, respectively, and the DSP third IF identical to the second IF in the main receiver

Yaesu FT-450D HF/50MHz Transceiver, Product review, QST, November 2011. Reviewed by Mike Corey, W5MPC. – Following in the line of the FT-100D, FT-817ND, FT-857D…. arrived it the FT-450D!

The FT-450D adds a standard internal ATU that cover the 6 to 160 meter bands (operation is very easy), and several ergonomic upgrades to the original FT-450. – New knob design, new standard hand mic., Button illumination and 500 and 300 Hz CW filters. (…please click the thumbnail to enlarge!) – See …..the link below !

A big improvement to the front pannel is backlighting for the buttons, strong enough that buttons can be seen from several feet away ub a dark room, and a significant improvement over the CW filter in the previous FT-450 Transceiver.

The ARRL has posted their review (October QST) of the IC-7410 on their website. – The basic numbers for the IC-7600 and IC-7410 are not significantly different; they are all up-conversion rigs with relatively wide roofing filters. – Receiver employs a double conversion superheterodyne system which has an image rejection mixer I/Q for the 2nd mixer stage. – The IC-7410 employs a higher speed DSP Unit: ADSP21369 with internal Clock 333MHz, 2000MFLOPS and the AD/DA converter AK4620B.